Choosing the right products becomes far easier once you know your skin type. The same moisturiser that rescues dry skin can leave oily skin greasy and congested, so understanding what your skin actually needs is the foundation of any routine that works.
How to find your skin type
The simplest test is to cleanse your face, pat it dry, and leave it bare for about an hour. Then notice how it feels and looks. Tightness and flaking point to dry skin; shine across the whole face suggests oily skin; shine only in the T-zone (forehead, nose and chin) with normal or dry cheeks indicates combination skin.
The main skin types
Oily skin
Oily skin produces excess sebum, often looking shiny and feeling greasy by midday, with a tendency towards enlarged pores and breakouts. It does best with gentle foaming cleansers, lightweight gel moisturisers and non-comedogenic (non-pore-clogging) formulas. Ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid help manage oil and keep pores clear. Avoid the temptation to skip moisturiser — stripped skin often responds by making even more oil.
Dry skin
Dry skin feels tight, may look dull or flaky and can be prone to fine lines. It benefits from creamy, non-foaming cleansers and richer moisturisers containing humectants (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) and emollients (like ceramides). Applying moisturiser to slightly damp skin helps trap extra hydration.
Combination skin
Combination skin is oily in the T-zone and normal to dry elsewhere. The trick is to treat different areas differently — a lighter moisturiser or oil-control product on the T-zone, something richer on drier cheeks. A balanced, gentle routine usually suits it best.
Sensitive skin
Sensitive skin reacts easily, with redness, stinging or itching in response to certain products or environmental triggers. It needs fragrance-free, minimal routines built around soothing, barrier-supporting ingredients. Introduce anything new slowly and always patch test first.
Skin type can change
Your skin is not fixed for life. Weather, humidity, age, hormones and even stress can shift it — many people are oilier in hot, humid months and drier in winter or air-conditioning. It is worth reassessing your skin from time to time and adjusting your routine to match.
A quick patch test
Before using any new product fully, apply a small amount to your inner forearm or behind the ear for a few days. If there is no redness or irritation, it is likely safe to use on your face. This simple habit protects sensitive and reactive skin especially.
The bottom line
Identify whether your skin leans oily, dry, combination or sensitive, then choose cleansers, moisturisers and treatments that match. When in doubt — or if your skin is reactive or breaking out persistently — a qualified doctor can confirm your skin type and recommend a routine that genuinely suits you.